Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council
Cemetery Regulations
The foregoing Rules and Regulations will come into operation from
31 July 2015
All previous Rules and Regulations made by the Council are hereby superseded.
The Council reserves the right from time to time to make alterations, additions or amendments to these
Rules and Regulation specified herein. These rules and regulations will be reviewed at least every 4 years.
Introduction
We seek to observe the rights and choices of any individual wherever possible, but to be fair to all, to keep
everyone safe, and to maintain the cemetery to high standards we do need some regulations. Everyone
visiting or using the cemetery needs to follow these regulations.
Stow on the Wold Town Council (referred to as 'the council’ or ‘we’ in the regulations) is legally responsible
for managing and preserving the character of the cemetery. The council authorises the Town Clerk to act
with its authority and enforce the regulations.
To comply with the relevant laws, we run the cemetery in accordance with the Local Authorities Cemetery
Order 1977, as amended by the Local Authorities (Amendment) Order 1986 as well as any regulations made
by the Secretary of State.
If you have any questions about these regulations please contact
Stow on the Wold Town Council at Stow Youth Club, Fosseway, Stow on the Wold, GL54 1DW. Tel. 01451
832585. Email info@stowonthewold-tc.gov.uk.
General Opening times
The cemetery is not locked at night and is therefore always open to visitors.
Rights of use/admission
We reserve the right to:
(i) close or limit access to the cemetery when necessary; and
(ii) withdraw the use of the cemetery from any person or organisation
iii) exclude those who are not mourners, or not officially connected with the funeral.
iv) exclude any person committing a nuisance in the cemetery
You may bring dogs into the cemetery but they must be kept on a short lead and under your control at all
times. Dog fouling is prohibited.
Fees
All fees for interments and memorials applications are payable in advance
All cemetery fees and charges are reviewed annually and are displayed on the Stow Town Council website:
http://stowonthewold-tc.gov.uk
Grave space allocation
New graves will be allocated in a logical progression. There are however a few spaces available within
the existing layout so some flexibility is possible. We will try to meet the wishes of applicants if it is
practical to do so. The council keeps plans and records of graves which visitors may view by
appointment.
When a grave is "reserved" this refers to the reserving of the ‘Exclusive Right of Burial’ in a grave space
and not the purchase of the land itself. During the period stated in the Grant of Exclusive Right of Burial
(currently 99 years) you will have the right to say who can be buried in the grave.
The Exclusive Right of Burial may be assigned but will only be recognised by the Council if a Deed of
Assignment of the ownership of the grave has been executed by the owner and notice given to the
Council. Ownership of the ground remains with the Council at all times.
Coffins and caskets
To help us all respect the environment, all bodies entering the cemetery for burial must be contained in
a coffin/wrapping made of a biodegradable material bearing the full name, age and date of death on it.
Interments
Your funeral director will be responsible for making all the arrangements necessary and liaising with
council on your behalf.
Memorials
Permission is required for any permanent flat stone marker or headstone before installation.
To apply for permission for a memorial please provide a sketch and apply to the council using the
memorial application form attached. The applicant must not commission any work until they have
permission from the council. NB. You will be required to pay the cost of removal of any work done prior
to gaining permission if it does not comply with the cemetery regulations.
To allow time for the ground to settle no memorial is to be erected on any grave until at least 6 months
has passed after the burial.
Temporary wooden markers are permitted subject to the council's approval. These should be removed
from the grave if/when the permanent memorial headstone is set.
Any person removing a memorial to permit a further interment may only do so after informing the
Council. A memorial application form must be sent to the Council for approval clearly stating any
changes that are being made to the memorial.
The owner is responsible for keeping the memorial in a good and safe condition. The council is
permitted to remove any memorial that becomes unsafe or is otherwise dilapidated.
Lawn sections (Millenium Cemetery from plot 2044)
Parts of the cemetery are maintained as an uncluttered lawn cemetery. Graves in lawn sections of the
cemetery will be grassed and maintained as lawn.
No mound more than 3” in height is to be left on the grave after burial.
No kerbing surrounds will be permitted in the lawn cemetery.
You may install a flat memorial of the dimensions indicated below at the head of the grave.
You may not place any other memorial or other items in or around the grave space or on the grassed
area in front of the grave including shrubs, plants and bulbs.
Headstones and Memorials
Materials : You may use Yorkstone, nabrasina, granite, marble, slate or other suitable material of
durable and sound quality for memorials. Synthetic stone or any type of plastic is not permitted:
Dimensions:
Upright Memorials (including the base)
Height between 20” – 2’6” (51 – 76cm) above ground level
Width between 12” - 2’3” ( 30-68cm)
Depth between 3” and 4” (7.6 – 10cm)
The stone must be of sufficient thickness to support its height, and any reasonable force
exerted upon it, to ensure its stability.
Upright memorials must have an approved ground anchor installed.
Horizontal Memorials (Lawn area in the Millenium Cemetery from plot 2044)
Up to 4” ( 10cm) in height above ground level
and 18” square (45 cm²)
Cremation Memorials
Up to Up to 4” ( 10cm) in height above ground level
and 15” square (38 cm²)
All memorials will be clearly but discreetly engraved with the plot number.
The foundation must be sunk into the ground so that the top surface is flush with the adjoining ground
level. To avoid damage to the memorial stone during normal maintenance, a margin of at least 3”
around the stone must be left when placed on its foundation.
As the cemetery is a public open spaces and the council will not accept any liability for damage to
memorial stones.
Ornaments, Flowers and Maintenance
Only cut without ribbons and wrappings are permitted. A bin and water is available at the bier house.
Another tap is located by the container.
No trees, shrubs, plants, flowers or seeds shall be planted or sown in the cemetery.
The council reserves the right to remove (and dispose of) any ornaments after a period of 8 weeks.
The council will also remove and dispose of flowers, plants, floral tributes or wreaths which have
deteriorated or become unsightly.
Scattering of cremated remains
The scattering of cremated remains in the cemetery is forbidden.
Repair of failed memorial headstones
The Council reserve the right to test all headstones for safety.
Memorial headstones that fail the safety test will be required to be repaired as soon as possible by the
deed holder. If the repair is not undertaken within six months from notification, the Council will fund
the repair to the stone; this cost must then be repaid to the Council before the Exclusive Right of Burial
is further exercised
Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council
Cemetery Regulations
Additional information for Funeral Directors
The foregoing Rules and Regulations will come into operation from
31 July 2015
All previous Rules and Regulations made by the Council are hereby superseded.
The Council reserves the right from time to time to make alterations, additions or amendments to
these Rules and Regulation specified herein. These rules and regulations will be reviewed at least
every 4 years.
Introduction
We seek to observe the rights and choices of any individual wherever possible, but to be fair to all,
to keep everyone safe, and to maintain the cemetery to high standards we do need some
regulations. Everyone visiting or using the cemetery needs to follow these regulations.
Stow on the Wold Town Council (referred to as 'the council’ or ‘we’ in the regulations) is legally
responsible for managing and preserving the character of the cemetery. The council authorises the
Town Clerk to act with its authority and enforce the regulations.
To comply with the relevant laws, we run the cemetery in accordance with the Local Authorities
Cemetery Order 1977, as amended by the Local Authorities (Amendment) Order 1986 as well as any
regulations made by the Secretary of State.
If you have any questions about these regulations please contact
Stow on the Wold Town Council at Stow Youth Club, Fosseway, Stow on the Wold, GL54 1DW. Tel.
01451 832585. Email info@stowonthewold-tc.gov.uk.
Grave Dimensions
Our policy is to excavate graves to the maximum depth available.
All graves must be dug to at least the minimum legal depth of 3’6” (76cm).
In graves 7’ or deeper a maximum of two full burials will be allowed. The council cannot be held
responsible if, due to factors outside our control, the grave cannot hold the full number of
interments
Full Burials: Grave spaces will be 9’ x 4” (2.7m x 1.2m) except in exceptional circumstances.
Graves shall be positioned centrally in the grave space allocated.
Cremated Burials: A grave space for cremated remains must not exceed 21” square (53cm2) and dug
to a depth of 18” to accommodate two interments if required.
Cremated Remains in existing grave spaces: The casket shall be positioned at the head of the grave.
Coffins and caskets
To help us all respect the environment, all bodies entering the cemetery for burial must be
contained in a coffin/wrapping made of a biodegradable material bearing the full name, age and
date of death on it.
Interments
The funeral director will be responsible for making all the arrangements necessary and liaising with
council.
The completed interment notice and fees need to be delivered to the council office at least two clear
working days before the interment.
We must receive the Registrar’s Certificate for Disposal or Coroner’s Order for Burial before any
burial can take place. We will require a Medical Practitioner, Midwife or Nurse’s certificate if the
interment is for a non-viable foetus.
We will not open a reserved grave without the written permission of the registered owner unless the
burial is to be that of the registered owner. We will need to see and verify the deed before a grave
is re-opened. If the deed is lost or mislaid then a statutory declaration must be made.
All personnel other than council officials working in the cemetery do so at their own risk.
The funeral director, staff and grave digger must have adequate public liability insurance.
The council, on behalf of the funeral director, reserves the right of passage over all graves and to
have any grave temporarily covered whilst carrying out excavations. Such covering may comprise of
boxed platform, or similar, onto which excavated soil may be placed prior to a burial in an adjacent
grave. We also reserve the right to move memorials to allow access to a grave. The memorials will
be returned to their original positions and any disturbed neighbouring graves made tidy as soon as
possible after the burial.
All materials and equipment must be conveyed in the cemetery in such a manner as to prevent
damage to walks, paths, roads or turfed areas and all soil or waste material must be removed in a
like manner. Mats, boards or canvas must be used, as directed by the council, to achieve this end.
If a grave is to be left open for any length of time the grave digger must cover it with stout boards in
order to reduce the risks to public safety. No equipment is to be kept in the cemetery area, except
during use.
Memorials
Permission is required for any permanent flat stone marker or headstone before installation.
To apply for permission for a memorial please provide a sketch and apply to the council using the
memorial application form attached. The applicant must not commission any work until they have
permission from the council. NB. They will be required to pay the cost of removal of any work done
prior to gaining permission if it does not comply with the cemetery regulations.
To allow time for the ground to settle no memorial is to be erected on any grave until at least
6 months has passed after the burial.
Temporary wooden markers are permitted subject to the council's approval. These should be
removed from the grave if/when the permanent memorial headstone is set.
Any person removing a memorial to permit a further interment may only do so after informing the
Council. A memorial application form must be sent to the Council for approval clearly stating any
changes that are being made to the memorial.
The owner is responsible for keeping the memorial in a good and safe condition. The council is
permitted to remove any memorial that becomes unsafe or is otherwise dilapidated.
To apply for permission for a memorial please provide a sketch and apply to the council using the
form attached.
We will give permission as long as the work undertaken fully complies with the details specified
within the Application Form, the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM) or
National Association of Memorial Mason’s (NAMM) schemes and the requirements of these
regulations. All memorials must be erected in accordance with BS8415 and the National Association
of Memorial Mason’s (NAMM) or the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM)
Code of Practice current at the time of installation. All memorial mason companies who work within
the cemetery must be registered with the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM)
or National Association of Memorial Mason’s (NAMM). Fixing teams will contain at least one mason
in possession of a BRAMM or NAMM fixer’s licence. At all times memorial fixing teams will operate
in accordance with the BRAMM or NAMM scheme and these regulations.
Any person removing a memorial to permit a further interment may only do so after informing the
Council. Upon reinstallation of such memorials they shall be re-fixed in accordance with BS8415 and
the NAMM or BRAMM Code of Practice, this will include the installation of new dowels between the
base and headstone plate.
Masons must notify the council of intent to work in the cemetery at least 24 hours before arrival at
the cemetery. No work will be permitted outside of the normal working hours or at weekends unless
specifically approved by the council.
You may be required to remove any work that you do, or any memorials or kerb sets – and pay all
the costs of removal – if these do not comply with the cemetery regulations.
Lawn sections (Millenium Cemetery from plot 2044)
The cemetery is maintained as an uncluttered lawn cemetery. No kerbing surrounds will be
permitted in the cemetery. Graves in lawn sections of the cemetery will be grassed and maintained
as lawn.
No mound more than 3” in height is to be left on the grave after burial.
You may install a flat memorial of the dimensions indicated below at the head of the grave.
You may not place any other memorial or other items in or around the grave space or on the grassed
area in front of the grave including shrubs, plants and bulbs.
Headstones and Memorials
Materials : You may use Yorkstone, nabrasina, granite, marble, slate or other suitable material of
durable and sound quality for memorials. Synthetic stone or any type of plastic is not permitted:
Dimensions:
Upright Memorials (including the base)
Height between 20” – 2’6” (51 – 76cm) above ground level
Width between 12” - 2’3” ( 30-68cm)
Depth between 3” and 4” (7.6 – 10cm)
The stone must be of sufficient thickness to support its height, and any reasonable force
exerted upon it, to ensure its stability.
Upright memorials must have an approved ground anchor installed.
Flat Memorials (in the lawn area of the Millenium Cemetery from plot 2044)
Up to 4” ( 10cm) in height above ground level
and 18” square (45 cm²)
Cremation Memorials
Up to Up to 4” ( 10cm) in height above ground level
and 15” square (38 cm²)
All memorials will be clearly but discreetly engraved with the plot number.
The foundation must be sunk into the ground so that the top surface is flush with the adjoining
ground level. To avoid damage to the memorial stone during normal maintenance, a margin of at
least 3” around the stone must be left when placed on its foundation.
Scattering of cremated remains
The scattering of cremated remains in the cemetery is forbidden.
Repair of failed memorial headstones
The Council reserve the right to test all headstones for safety.
Stow on the Wold Cemetery - Notice of Interment
Deceased full name
Age
Former address
Former Occupation (before retirement, if
applicable)
Place of death
Date of death
Next of Kin name and address
New / Reopen grave
Single Depth / Double Depth
Grave No.
Memorial to go on the grave
Yes / No
Section
Name of stonemason authorised to remove the
memorial.
Date of burial
Arrival time at cemetery
Name of officiating minister
Denomination
Name and address of grave owner if different from
above.
Signature of owner
Name and address of the funeral director authorised
to carry out the burial
Signature of funeral director
I agree with the above regulations.
Signature of applicant………………………………………………
Date …………………………..
This form along with the green burial form Part B and the prescribed fees must be delivered to the
Town Clerk at the above address at least TWO clear working days prior to the burial taking place.
Part C of the burial form must be forwarded to the Registrar of Births and Deaths.
1 copy to be given to the grave owner.
Stow on the Wold Town Council
Stow Youth Centre
Fosseway
Stow on the wold
Gloucestershire GL54 1DW
Info@stowonthewold-tc.gov.uk
t. 01451 832585
Application for Permission to erect, remove or re-erect a memorial
in the Cemetery at Stow on the Wold.
Name and address of applicant
Name on grave / plot number
Name and address of Monumental Mason
Particulars of memorial

Dimensions

Description / materials / fixing methods

Details of the Inscription (if applicable please provide details of previous inscription)
To the Burial Board Committee:
I, the registered grave owner, apply for permission to erect the memorial described above and
undertake that it will be erected as described.
A sketch of the memorial is attached.
I have read and agree to comply with the cemetery regulations.
Signed …………………………………………………….
Registered grave owner
Date ……………………………………………………….
Stow on the Wold Burial Fees 2015
Fees 2015
To reserve a grave plot (‘Exclusive Right to Burial’)
(NB this is not a deposit towards the cost of a burial)
Interments
For the interment of a still born child or a child whose age at the time of death did
not exceed 16 years
For the interment of the body of a person whose age at the time of death exceeded
16 years
For the interment of Cremated Remains
Memorials
New memorial
Additional inscription
£150
No charge
£600
£100
£75
£30